Valentine's Day was wonderful! The greatest part is that it is just another day to celebrate the love of home! Everyday brings those same special moments from my cute husband and little guy! But special to Valentine's day were my Gerber Daisies, Peter's overalls that Grandma Larson made and sent in the mail, and his understanding of "Yeah!" Peter and I do scripture time some time in the day, and we sing "Scripture Power" and clap as a gathering activity. Then we shout "Yeah!" and put our hands in the air after certain phrases. On Valentine's he caught on to the actions! I wasn't the only one with my hands in the air! Then because we loved it so much, he thought it was a great attention getter for dad and all our friends when we go places! "Yeah!" is how I feel inside!
That night Thad and I had a fun time making Tempura - the Japanese dish - for dinner. Peter wasn't quite sure about it, but loved the rice. We had eggplant, zucchini, asparagus, mushrooms, onions, shrimp, sweet potato, and egg drop soup. And we just had fun cooking together and doing something new. I'm in love. :)
Well, Time has just flown by! We are 8 days away from Thad graduating from school. He walked in December, but he has had to finish his clinical rotation here in Sioux Falls. February 25th is the last day! Now he is studying for the Anesthesia Board test, which he will take at the end of March. And then...we are headed to LITCHFIELD, MN!!
Moving brings many different emotions! We are so grateful for Heavenly Father leading us to a great job. In these economically difficult times, a job is something to be very grateful for! It also is my dream for Thad in his professional life...that he absolutely loves his job. I know he loves me...and he loves Peter...so we know he loves being home. Now when he leaves home and also when he returns, he will feel and share peace because he loves his job.
Home definitely is where my sweet husband and little boy are. Although great additions to our family are the wonderful people we love here in Sioux Falls. And we love the memories we have made and the future we have begun. We had our first little boy here! Peter brings so much joy to our lives. And he'll forever tell the story that he was born in Sioux Falls, SD.
But we also know that we are bloomers! Bloom where we are planted. And we feel so much peace and reassurance that Litchfield, MN is the place for us at this time. So, even in the dead of winter...I am going to remind myself that under all that snow and ice are buds ready to bloom when Spring comes. I may have to make my own sunshine on some days. But I am mentally preparing, and relying on Heaven to be in our home!
Where is Litchfield Minnesota? It is Located just 60 miles west of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul on U.S. Hwy 12, Litchfield is the Meeker County seat.
Litchfield's 6500 residents live in a growing community boasting a strong education system, fiscally responsible government, and employment in high tech manufacturing companies.
It is located on lake Ripley and surrounded by many others. We are looking forward to that beauty and hope to have it somewhat close to our own home to enjoy. We'll see what comes.
Our branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is located in Hutchinson, MN which is just about 20 miles south of Litchfield. It will be a change not being so close to our church building. But we hope to live between Litchfield and Hutchinson to make driving to both places a little more convenient.
Life is wonderful. I cherish every moment. No one knows the future. I only know that with the gospel of Jesus Christ, and my little family and home filled with love, we can make it together anywhere. I will have to develop new talents staying connected to my family in Utah. I will have to develop new talents playing in freezing cold weather. I will need to develop...unknown ways. But I'm willing!
So here we go! I'll try...as I've tried before...to do better to put our life down on a blog! Lots of love from Sioux Falls! Malinda :)
Friday, October 15, 2010
When Technology doesn't work from one source, try another!
My Mom and Grandma and some of my other sweet loved ones had a hard time seeing these pictures sent from my email! These aren't the best photos...because I am saving the surprise to give you later! But they still warm my heart to see my sweet Boys!
So I have posted them here!
We leave Council Bluffs, IA today. Thad has enjoyed his 2 month rotation here. We've learned a lot. It's really been a test for Thad. He has worked with some people with different attitudes and it has helped him to see what he desires for a work environment.
I have especially learned the truth that Home is where you and your family are. No matter where we are, if Thad and Peter are there, I can love it. But I do understand the council given by Prophets today to create a spiritual atmosphere in your home. Here in Council Bluffs we don't have any pictures of the Savior or of Temples or of Family on the walls. I love the spirit those add in our Sioux Falls Home. But we did have the Mormon Channel, or Devotionals or something spiritual playing all day. And we have church DVD's on the table that have pictures on them. But oh how important it is to create an environment that even just looking upon helps you feel the spirit. I love being a woman, a wife and a mother! I know that it is my responsibility to create and mold our home as a Heaven on Earth. And if you just look at Peter's smile, you'll see why I feel like I'm in Heaven 24/7!
Life is absolutely wonderful. Wished you were here. Love you! Malinda (Thad and Petey!)
Peter is growing so fast! I love being a wife and mother! Here are a few photos from the past 4 months. Sorry I'm slow! Some special moments: Mother's Day! Father's Day! Peter's blessing : June 6, 2010 Family Reunions in Utah! He learned to roll over both ways!!
More to come! Just wanted to say we love you! Malinda (Thad and Peter)
This is Thanksgiving Day out at Thad's Grandpa and Grandma Ward's Farm! We have so much to be thankful for. I am especially grateful for an amazing husband! He makes our home complete. He makes me laugh. I love being with him. I cherish the mundane moments and the beautiful vistas we see together.
I love being pregnant!
Hello my loved ones!
This Christmas was very stirring for me as I was unable to go home to Utah for Christmas.I wasn’t able to see all of my brothers and sisters, or even all of Thad’s family.We did get to go to Minnesota to Thad’s house, but due to the snow, there was limited time with family.I thought, how can I tell everyone how much I love them, and hear about their lives?How can I help them to stay in touch with us and to know how we are doing as well?How do we keep family and friends ties close if we never get to communicate?
My cute family and friends are so good at blogging, that is one way. Newletters, emails, letters, calls, cards, skype, etc. are all great ways.Facebook and all those electronic ways have been difficult for me as I have found that my only time to do that is at work, and I just feel I shouldn’t.So the solution for me is to do something!Once a month, do something.It may be a blog. It may be a letter.It may be an email, or a phone call.But I want to do my part to tell all of you that I am thinking about you and that you mean so much to me.So this month…it’s a blog!
My message this month, (you know me, I have to have a message… ) is to cherish the mundane every day moments.
I have been trying to prepare to become a mother and I was listening to a book on contentment my mom gave me for Christmas as I drive to and from work.And it has just reminded me that most of our lives are filled with mundane, every day duties.And we should not take those for granted.But rather we should take time to look at each other, eye to eye, tell each other we love each other, hear about the day, touch each other and enjoy the time we are allotted here in this life.We can get busy and forget to really look at each other and enjoy the cleaning of the house, the cooking and eating dinner, the working and making people better.But if we cherish those moments, we will find our lives filled with joy and satisfaction.I really know that mothers sacrifice a lot for their families, and they must search to find contentment with the roles we have to serve and make home a safe haven!
So I wanted to take time this month and this year, to draw closer to you all and even in the crazy days, remember that these relationships are eternal.I love you.Have a great January!Love Malinda :) It's the greatest time to have a belly! Especially in the winters of South Dakota! Peter keeps me warm!
Speaking of Warm...Thad makes we wear all this gear so I don't cry in the below freezing weather! I'm so thankful for him!
This is my cute Thad out snow blowing his parent's drive way. We got 16 inches on Christmas! He had a ball out working with his dad!When he was in high school he didn't have the snow blower! He got to do it all by hand! He loves playing out there now!!
We're getting prepared! We've got the crib and the changing table, and cute blankets and toys. Much Thanks to our Moms and Grandmas!
Valentine's Day was wonderful! The greatest part is that it is just another day to celebrate the love of home! Everyday brings those same special moments from my cute husband and little guy! But special to Valentine's day were my Gerber Daisies, Peter's overalls that Grandma Larson made and sent in the mail, and his understanding of "Yeah!"
gathering activity. Then we shout "Yeah!" and 
put our hands in the air after certain phrases. On Valentine's he caught on to the actions! I wasn't the only one with my hands in the air! Then because we loved it so much, he thought it was a great attention getter for dad and all our friends when we go places! "Yeah!" is how I feel inside!
Well, Time has just flown by! We are 8 days away from Thad graduating from school. He walked in December, but he has had to finish his clinical rotation here in Sioux Falls. February 25th is the last day! Now he is studying for the Anesthesia Board test, which he will take at the end of March. And then...we are headed to LITCHFIELD, MN!!
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